Rays’ comeback attempt falls short against Yanks

by Gary Shelton on September 5, 2022

in general

Monday, 4 a.m.

The table was set. The right man was at the plate.

And Mighty Yandy struck out.

The Rays, attempting a sweep over the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon, seemed to be in the middle of something good in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday. The tying run was on third, the winning run on second, and Yandy Diaz, the man the Rays would most want to be at bat, was at the plate.


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After all, Diaz has been one of the hottest hitters in the American League as of late. As he walked to plate, Diaz was hitting .450 in his last 10 games. When he went up 2-0, fans could smell a comeback.

And he struck out, looking at three strikes. (Granted, the last strike seemed to be low).

It allowed the Yankees to salvage one game of the series, but with a five-game lead, winning one of three might be enough for the Yankees.

This one was because of Aaron Judge, as a lot of Yankees' wins are. He hit his 53rd home run, had half of the team's six hits, and scored both runs. He hit the second pitch of the game 450 feet for his homer.

The Rays scuffled off Yankees starter Frankie Montas, who allowed just one hit over his five innings. The Rays made a charge late, loading the bases in the seventh before closing to within one run in the ninth.

“We had  a couple of first and second, no one out situations," said Rays' manager Keven Cash. "We weren’t able to move guys. Montas was really tough. He was really outstanding. I don’t think it was us not making an adjustment. I think his stuff was really good. He limited us quite a bit."

The Rays now continue their chase of the Yankees. They host the Boston Red Sox today at Tropicana Field at 4:10 p.m. The Rays have not announced a starter, but Michael Wacha will start for the Sox.

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